Κυριακή, 21 Μαΐου 2017

The blue procession is an art
experience taking place during the journey to Kaloritsa, following the trail leading to the
hill of Prophitis Ilias in Naxos islandup to the ruins
of the Byzantine monastery. The artist Irini Gonou as a pilgrim is mapping the metaphorical
journey in its proper space, marking his physical and spiritual territory, during
the walking process.

"In the realm of the ritual the amuletic aspect of the
cloth is reaching its essential property. Equally protective the blue color evokes at the same time the spiritual
search in the Mediterranean culture.Tracking the
path along with the blue plant dyed cloths attached to the shrubs the protective power of
the cloths is extended to join the plant’s natural ability
of revival. Individual or collective the “path” is the metaphor of the pilgrim’s inner journey" the artist said.

At the end of the trail there is a well hidden natural cave converted
into church with frescoes dating from 9th to 13th c. Over
the cave and around there are arches and alcoves, abandoned remains of the Byzantine monastery.

"The Big Blue
Cloth hanging in an alcove of the Byzantine ruin is marking the end of the
path. Made out of cotton fabric dyed in blue and other natural materials attached on it, the Big Blue Cloth functions as a big amulet
while at the same time is a nod to the annual circle of life, fertility,
environmental balance and agriculture, a vital domain of the island’s
activities".

The blue processionas an art experience-journey will complete
the Fantasma art experience and will remain at the site of Kaloritsa from 23/5
up to 28/9/2017.

Born in Athens, Irini Gonou graduated from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts and from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, where she lived for eleven years. She
has shown her artwork in thirty solo exhibitions in Greece,
France, Belgium, Germany,
UK, USA, Egypt
and Norway.
Her solo exhibition Al-Khatt, the magic
script on 2009 was held in the Museum
of Islamic Arts in Athens. What is more, she has participated in
a numerous group exhibitions in Greece
and abroad. Her artwork is included in several Museum collections, Municipal
Galleries, private Museums and Foundations, as well as to a variety of
important private collections in Greece and abroad.

She lives
and works in Athens
and teaches regular workshops on the MediterraneanScripts in the Benaki Museum of Athens.